Google isn't the only one speeding up internet access in the Lone Star state. AT&T has announced that it will build a 1 gigabit fiber network in Austin, Texas as well.

AT&T will deliver speeds up to 1 gigabit per second in Austin as part of its Project VIP expansion of broadband access.

“Most encouraging is the recognition by government officials that policies which eliminate unnecessary regulation, lower costs and speed infrastructure deployment, can be a meaningful catalyst to additional investment in advanced networks which drives employment and economic growth,” said Randall Stephenson, AT&T chairman and CEO.

"Our goal is to start connecting homes in Austin by mid-2014," said Google. "Customers there will have a similar choice of products as our customers in Kansas City: Gigabit Internet or Gigabit Internet plus our Google Fiber TV service with nearly 200 HD TV channels. We’re still working out pricing details, but we expect them to be roughly similar to Kansas City.

"Also, as in Kansas City, we’re going to offer customers a free Internet connection at 5 mbps for 7 years, provided they pay a one-time construction fee. We’re also planning to connect many public institutions as we build in Austin— schools, hospitals, community centers, etc. — at a gigabit for no charge."

Interesting. In that case, there is a difference between the US and the German problems. We also have a bit of troubles with the Quasi-Monopoly of T-Com over here, but mainly the people in small villages are suffering, because the companies refuse to build 20 Km of cable just to connect 10 Houses. Connection in bigger cities (>100k population) is quiet good, with at least 16 MBit DSL available for pretty much everybody there.